Steward's Corner

Steward's Corner asks five questions of Stewards doing their bit towards planetary flourishing, from a range of disciplines, across different realms of expertise, from community builders and entrepreneurs, to scientists, artists and designers.

What we hope is to plant Five Seeds of Transformation, to give rise to a living forest of inspiration and actions that contribute towards collective thriving.

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Founded in 2014, Granville Community Kitchen was created to meet the specific needs of South Kilburn - a community left to deprivation and dereliction, at the mercy of housing developers and local councils, who sought profit over people. Through heroic efforts, they have built a thriving community programme, with fresh produce boxes, a food garden, community meals, food literacy programmes and soul-satisfying activities (think film nights, stitch workshops). A community farm is also now under development...

Leslie Barson is Co-founder + Steward at Granville Community Kitchen.

What does a flourishing future mean to you?

A just and equitable division of resources so everyone has what they need while contributing what they are able to, spending their time doing activities that are creative and fulfilling for them as individuals part of their communities.

What current challenge are you aiming to solve?

At a local level, the fragmentation and degradation of community through greed and desperation of councils squeezed by Central Government.

At a national level, an example of a different food system, which is sustainable and regenerative.

If you could incept one question, quote or word, into the collective mind to help us bridge into a thriving future for all, what would it be?

Stewardship asks:“what are the conditions required for this to be done well? And am I tending to them, or eroding them?”

What's the first best step someone can take, who is interested in your field?

Use your library as much as you can.

Cook a simple meal with unprocessed ingredients.

Grow something to eat in a pot on your windowsill.

Join a group interested in anything you are.

What do you hope future generations will say about this moment in time?

We left the earth a better place but I fear there will only be recriminations from the future.

Discover More about Evolving: https://www.evolvingforests.com/

land stewardship | community kitchen | civic infrastructure

Steward's Corner